Using orthogonal space projections to generate a constant false alarm rate control parameter

Abstract

An adaptive parameter for adjusting a threshold in a sensor system that provides a constant false alarm rate is disclosed. A projection space generator performs projection operations to create a matched projection space and first and second mismatched projection spaces such that each mismatched projection space is orthogonal or nearly orthogonal to the matched projection space. A mitigator engine receives the matched and first mismatched projection spaces and generates a covariance matrix from the first mismatched projection space and an image space from the covariance matrix and the matched projection space. A second mismatched projection space that is mismatched to both the matched and first mismatched projection spaces is provided to a clutter characterization engine that generates samples from the second mismatched projection space and the covariance matrix. The adaptive parameter is generated from the samples and is used as an input to a threshold adjuster in a target detector.